NT death horror has Victorian link0:33

A French tourist has witnessed her husband being stabbed to death in an allegedly unprovoked attack in the NT

December 1st 2016

10 months ago

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A man has been held by police following the stabbing death of a French tourist near Aileron. Picture: Millerick HannahSource:News Limited

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A VICTORIAN man has been held by police over the stabbing murder of a French tourist at an Outback rest stop.

The married couple, who only recently arrived in Australia, had stopped at Connors Well, 90km north of Alice Springs, when police allege 35-year-old Pande Veleski attacked the Frenchman, stabbing him in the neck.

Mr Veleski is under guard in Alice Springs Hospital, having been found naked in the Outback after a police helicopter search.

Pande Veleski has been arrested by police.Source:Supplied

News of the horrific attack comes as Joanne Lees, whose boyfriend Peter Falconio was murdered in 2001 less than 200 kilometres from Wednesday’s stabbing, visits the area to set up a memorial.

Police sources allege the attacker pulled up behind the couple who were unaware of the horror to come.

The Herald Sun understands the ­victim’s wife tried to fight off the attacker, bashing him over the head with a picnic table.

The man fled in a silver Hyundai with Victorian plates — leaving the distraught wife to watch her husband die on the side of the lonesome stretch of highway.

Soon after, a nurse from Ti Tree Health Clinic, 100km north of Connor Well, was driving past with her husband and stopped in a desperate bid to save the man’s life.

She performed CPR on him as her husband drove to Aileron Roadhouse to call triple 0.

Police then launched a manhunt after spotting the suspect’s car near the small town of Ti Tree.

Detective Superintendent Travis Wurst said police spotted the accused’s car near Ti Tree, but he fled into the bush on foot.

Witnesses say he was found naked by police after an aerial search early yesterday.

Mr Veleski has been remanded in Alice Springs Hospital and was last night under police guard.

He is yet to be charged

The victim’s wife, 30, was also in hospital and was said to be completely traumatised by the attack.

“As one would expect she is particularly traumatised by this event,” Supt Wurst said.

“One could only assume this is an absolutely devastating occurrence for her and for her family and of the deceased as well.

“She is currently in Alice Springs Hospital receiving treatment and police will continue to support her. As far as we are aware she was not injured.”

.Source:Herald Sun

Police want any motorists who may have seen a silver Hyundai hatchback with Victorian registration to come forward. Picture: NT PoliceSource:Supplied

Supt Wurst said police believed the French tourists were alone at the rest stop in the minutes before the attack.

“We believe at this time the only persons at the roadside stop were the male person, who is now deceased, and his wife. The only other person that was believed to have been present was the person who is considered to be the attacker. We understand there were no other people present.”

Aileron Roadhouse employee BJ Gorman said the man who made the triple 0 call was calm amid the horrific crisis.

Mr Gorman said the caller has alerted authorities and then rushed back to the scene to help his wife.

Yesterday, police continued to scour the rest stop and collect evidence.

The couple’s red Rav 4 with a South Australian numberplate sat to the side of the scene, a soft toy in the front and an air freshener dangling, visible through the open window.

NT Police press conference on the stabbing death of a French tourist1:25

NT Police press conference on the stabbing death of a French tourist in Central Australia

December 1st 2016

10 months ago

/display/newscorpaustralia.com/Web/NewsNetwork/Network News/National/

A man has been held by police following the stabbing death of a French tourist near Aileron. Picture: Millerick HannahSource:News Limited

Roadtrains passed every five minutes while two police officers kept the scene secure.

As police stood guard a sign which stood above a rubbish bin chillingly read “enjoy your rest”. A big bloodstain was visible near to the fixed picnic table.

Supt Wurst said police were desperate to speak with any motorists who saw the accused’s car on the Stuart Hwy.

“(Police want to speak to) anyone who was on the south Stuart Hwy between Ti Tree and Alice Springs who may have seen a silver Hyundai hatchback with a Victorian registration who may have been acting suspiciously or in any other locations in that highway area.

“That vehicle is the vehicle we are lead to believe the person was driving at the time.

“The vehicle is being examined as a crime scene. I’d also ask anyone who has seen the car in the days leading up to this incident occurring to provide assistance in establishing a time line for the travels of this vehicle.”

Supt Wurst said investigators were still piecing together the exact timeline of how the attack unfolded.

“The details of what transpired at the road side stop are still part of our investigations. All the details of the event are yet to be established.”